Grading the Bears’ Signing of Tight End Gerald Everett

The Chicago Bears made their second noteworthy signing of the 2024 NFL free agency period with the addition of former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett.

Everett, 29, is an established pass-catching tight end who ranks among the best at his position in yards after the catch since 2022.

Gerald Everett is the perfect fit in Chicago

? @PFF_Brad pic.twitter.com/t928DLWc9W

— PFF CHI Bears (@PFF_Bears) March 12, 2024

While the Bears appear set at TE1 with Cole Kmet, who signed a huge contract extension at the start of the 2023 season, new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron often deploys two tight end sets, making a player like Everett critical for the 2024 Bears’ game plan.

But Everett is more than just a chess piece for an offensive scheme. He’s an athletic playmaker who complements Kmet well. He’ll do more with the ball in his hands than Kmet’s been able to do so far as a pro, and will provide the Chicago Bears’ passing game with a quality athlete who can make plays in the open field. He’s also a solid red zone threat, a package with Everett and Kmet on the field at the same time in the red zone will create headaches for opposing defensive coordinators.

The Bears have yet to add a WR2 (a move could be coming soon, or in the 2024 NFL Draft), so adding a player with Everett’s pass-catching chops was critical. While he won’t be a player who threatens the top of any statistical category for tight ends, he’ll offer Chicago a quality target after DJ Moore, Kmet, and whoever emerges as the No. 2 receiver.

Gerald Everett’s contract is reasonable (two-years, $12 million), and represents another financially sound move to add a starting-quality player by GM Ryan Poles.

GRADE: B